September 30, 2008

Drinking chamomile tea daily with meals may help prevent the complications of diabetes, which include loss of vision, nerve damage, and kidney damage, researchers in Japan and the United Kingdom are reporting. The findings could lead to the development of a new chamomile-based drug for type 2 diabetes, which is spreading worldwide, they note. Their study appears in the Sept. 10 issue of the ACS’ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a bi-weekly publication.

In the new study, Atsushi Kato and colleagues point out that chamomile, also known as manzanilla, has been used for years as a medicinal cure-all to treat a variety of medical problems including stress, colds, and menstrual cramps. Scientists recently proposed that the herbal tea might also be beneficial for fighting diabetes, but the theory hasn’t been scientifically tested until now.

To find out, the researchers fed chamomile extract to a group of diabetic rats for 21 days and compared the results to a group of control animals on a normal diet. The chamomile-supplemented animals showed a significant decrease in blood glucose levels compared with the controls, they say. The extract also showed significant inhibition of both ALR2 enzymes and sorbitol, whose elevated levels are associated with increased diabetic complications, the scientists say.

September 29, 2008

I find that I can argue both sides of this issue (of course, that is my Gemini nature on most topics), however, I am a registered member at two different "social" websites and I find that it can go either way. One should have enough common sense to know when they need or miss their "real" (as opposed to "virtual") friends, wouldn't you think? Many of the "friends" that I have met on these sites are there to pass time because they cannot afford to go out. On the other hand, there are some very lonely people there also. Here is a professional's opinion. Let me know what you think.

Too much time spent making "virtual" friends online can freeze out close "real" friendships that do matter, and that may not be good for a person's health, says a Purdue University communication expert.

"Reconnecting with college or high school buddies is fine, but too much time spent on these virtual friendships can take away from close, personal relationships that can be gauged by whether you are close enough to someone to allow them refrigerator rights -- free reign of the contents of your refrigerator in your home," says Glenn Sparks, professor of communication and co-author of "Refrigerator Rights: Our Crucial Need for Close Connection." "Research shows the lack of refrigerator rights relationships are harmful to a person's physical and emotional health because of depression and anxiety."

In the last five years the use of social technologies, such as Second Life and Facebook, has exploded and there is no evidence it will slow down, Sparks says. "People feel the harmful effects of social isolation so they have a greater need to connect to other people, and this drives the use of electronic media technologies," Sparks says. "This is a paradox, because while these technologies may yield some benefits, they may also have simultaneous drawbacks that actually lead us away from close relationships. The more time we invest online, the more time it takes away from our prime relationship time of face-to-face interactions."

September 23, 2008

Eating the right food can help women achieve full sexual satisfaction, according to Marrena Lindberg, author of Orgasmic Sex. Lindberg claims a healthy diet supplemented by high-grade fish oil can increase women’s enjoyment of sex in as little as two weeks. In addition to fish oil, she suggests supplements of magnesium, iron, multivitamins, and even a piece of dark chocolate every day.

Lindberg believes a balanced diet contributes to healthy serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain, and says fish oil boosts dopamine and improves overall circulation. She suggests eating a moderate amount of foods containing saturated fat because she thinks they help maintain a woman’s testosterone level. “Quite simply, free testosterone puts a tiger in your tank,” she says.

Lindberg also recommends strengthening exercises for the pubococcygeus muscle, which is the muscle that controls urine flow and contracts during sex. She says many women know these exercises as “Kegels.”

She says to avoid caffeine, herbal stimulants, foods high in sugars and starches, hormonal birth control, soy, antidepressants, and omega-6 fatty acids. She recommends consulting a physician before starting the diet because fish oil can act like a blood thinner in the amounts she suggests, which for a woman weighing 130 pounds is a daily dose 1700 mg of EPA and 1300 of DHA.

September 22, 2008

Namas

Woman performing namaste gesture.

Namasté or Namaskar (Sanskrit: नमस्ते[nʌmʌsˈteː] from internal sandhi between namaḥ and te) is a common spoken greeting or salutation in the Indian subcontinent. Namaskar is considered a slightly more formal version than Namaste but both express deep respect. It is commonly used in India and Nepal by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists, and many continue to use this outside the Indian subcontinent. In Indian and Nepali culture, the word is spoken at the beginning of written or verbal communication. However, the same hands folded gesture is made wordlessly upon departure. In yoga, namaste is said to mean "I am your humble servant" which you say to your instructor.

When spoken to another person, it is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards, in front of the chest. The gesture can also be performed wordlessly and carry the same meaning.

Uses in South Asian culture

In everyday life, "namaste" can be necessarily considered a religious salutation. However, Namaste is salutation that is a Sanskrit term which can be understood to mean, that I respect that divinity within you that is also within me.[2]

Also when greeting a peer, a "namaste" can be said together with hands in front of chest and a slight bow. To indicate deep respect, one may place the hands in front of the forehead, and reverence for a god or the holiest of persons may be indicated by placing the hands completely above the head.[2]

Namaste is also used as a friendly greeting in written communication, or generally between people when they meet.

However in Sri Lanka, this usually has a somewhat different meaning. The gesture is used to greet (as well as a parting remark) people with the verbal "Aayubowan", hence it's called Aayubowan. Aayubowan roughly means 'may you live long'. When used at funerals to greet the guests, the verbal part is usually omitted. The aayubowan gesture is also a cultural symbol of Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan hospitality. This is also the means used by Sri Lankan air hostesses to greet passengers, and used in other hospitality settings. When the gesture is performed with hands in front of the chest it is usually considered as aayubowan. When hand position is higher it usually means reverence and/or worship. The higher the hands, or the expression with hands placed on top of one's head, is usually the sign of utmost reverence or respect.

Symbolism in Hinduism

The gesture used when bowing in Namaste or gassho is the bringing of both hands together, palms touching, in front of the person—usually at the chest, or a higher level such as below the chin, below the nose, or above the head.

This gesture is a mudra, a well-recognized symbolic hand position in eastern religions. One hand represents the higher, spiritual nature, while the other represents the worldly self. By combining the two, the person making the gesture is attempting to rise above his differences with others, and connect himself with the person to whom he bows. The bow is symbolic of love and respect.

Particularly in Hinduism, when one worships or bows in reverence, the symbolism of the two palms touching is of great significance. It is the joining together of two extremities—the feet of the Divine, with the head of the devotee. The right palm denotes the feet of the Divine and the left palm denotes the head of the devotee. The Divine feet constitute the ultimate solace for all sorrows—this is a time-honored thought that runs through the entire religious ethos.

In recent times, and more globally, the term "namaste" has come to be especially associated with yoga and spiritual meditation all over the world. In this context, it has been viewed in terms of a multitude of very complicated and poetic meanings which tie in with the spiritual origins of the word. Some examples:

"I honor the Spirit in you which is also in me." -- attributed to author Deepak Chopra[3]

"I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells, I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Integrity, of Wisdom and of Peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are One."[4][5]

September 20, 2008

Just 9 days ago we were reminded of the brutal attack on America and Americans by terrorists on September 11th. Most of us don't need any reminders of that horror because we think about it often. Unfortunately, many of those involved are not being allowed to forget any of it either. For many of the survivors, rescuers and family members, health issues are still occurring.

The tragic consequences of 9/11 didn’t stop when the twin towers fell and the ruins cleared. Seven years after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, many of the people who survived but were exposed to the smoke, dust and chemical fumes released by the attacks, suffer physical and mental problems.

A 2008 study from the National Institute of Environmental Health Services (NIEHS) noted that 62 percent of workers exposed to the hazardous materials and psychological trauma of the tragedy have substantial stress. Over eleven percent reported suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and an additional nine percent are clinically depressed.

Soon after 9/11, many people who breathed the air around the collapsed World Trade Center — not just firemen, policemen and other rescue workers — complained of respiratory problems. While many victims saw their symptoms subside over the years, twenty-five percent still complained of problems four years after the tragedy.

Many who weren’t directly connected to 9/11 but who live in New York City may not connect their health problems with the tragedy. For example, asthma rates have increased two to three times the expected rate for those living in lower Manhattan.

Officials see problems continuing and they fear a future increase in cancer rates and a decline in life expectancy. The challenges are not small, says Dr. Robin Herbert, co-director of Mount Sinai Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine. “It is likely we’ll see problems for years to come,” she told “Occupational Health & Safety” magazine.

The City of New York is reaching out to 9/11 victims, both those directly connected with the tragedy and others who have been affected by living in the area. “Many New Yorkers are suffering from wheezing, shortness of breath, stomach and other medical or emotional problems related to their 9/11 exposure and its aftermath,” Alan Aviles, who heads the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, told “Environmental News Service.” “Yet too many don’t connect their continuing health problems to 9/11 or believe that help is only available to WTC rescue and recovery workers.”

“Help is available for people still suffering,” New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Tom Frieden told “Environmental News Service.” “Any New Yorker can call 311 or visit the 9/11 health website at www.nyc.gov to find information about treatment for a physical ailment or a mental health problem,” he said. “Both post-traumatic stress disorder and respiratory conditions are still common among those directly exposed. Treatment can help, so please seek care if you’re suffering.”

September 17, 2008

I came across this article today and thought I'd share it with my readers. Most of you who read my blog know that I am not one who takes the news of the Media as carved in marble gospel. In fact, I usually do not take them seriously at all. This article, however, disturbs me....especially if it is truth. It pertains to America's presence in Pakistan. Please read and leave your comments.

As Wall Street collapsed with a bang, almost no one noticed that we're on the brink of war with Pakistan. And, unfortunately, that's not too much of an exaggeration. On Tuesday, the Pakistan's military ordered its forces along the Afghan border to repulse all future American military incursions into Pakistan. The story has been subsequently downplayed, and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Mike Mullen, flew to Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, to try to ease tensions. But the fact remains that American forces have and are violating Pakistani sovereignty.

You have to wonder whether the Bush administration understands what it is getting into. In case anyone has forgotten, Pakistan has a hundred plus nuclear weapons. It's a country on the edge of civil war. Its political leadership is bitterly divided. In other words, it's the perfect recipe for a catastrophe.

All of which begs the question, is it worth the ghost hunt we've been on since September 11? There has not been a credible sighting of Osama bin Laden since he escaped from Tora Bora in October 2001. As for al-Qaeda, there are few signs it's even still alive, other than a dispersed leadership taking refuge with the Taliban. Al-Qaeda couldn't even manage to post a statement on the Internet marking September 11, let alone set off a bomb.

U.S. forces have been entering Pakistan for the last six years. But it was always very quietly, usually no more than a hundred yards in, and usually to meet a friendly tribal chieftain. Pakistan knew about these crossings, but it turned a blind eye because it was never splashed across the front page of the country's newspapers. This has all changed in the last month, as the Administration stepped up Predator missile attacks. And then, after the New York Times ran an article that U.S. forces were officially given the go-ahead to enter Pakistan without prior Pakistani permission, Pakistan had no choice but to react.

On another level the Bush Administration's decision to step up attacks in Pakistan is fatally reckless, because the cross-border operations' chances of capturing or killing al Qaeda's leadership are slim. American intelligence isn't good enough for precision raids like this. Pakistan's tribal regions are a black hole that even Pakistani operatives can't enter and come back alive. Overhead surveillance and intercepts do little good in tracking down people in a backward, rural part of the world like this.

On top of it, is al-Qaeda worth the candle? Yes, some deadender in New York or London could blow himself up in the subway and leave behind a video claiming the attack in the name of al-Qaeda. But our going into Pakistan, risking a full-fledged war with a nuclear power, isn't going to stop him.

Finally, there is Pakistan itself, a country that truly is on the edge of civil war. Should we be adding to the force of chaos? By indiscriminately bombing the tribal areas along the Afghan border, we in effect are going to war with Pakistan's ethnic Pashtuns. They make up 15% of Pakistan's 167 million people. They are well armed and among the most fierce and xenophobic people in the world. It is not beyond their military capabilities to cross the Indus and take Islamabad.

Before it is too late, someone needs to sit the President down and give him the bad news that Pakistan is a bridge too far in the "war on terror."

TIME.com: Robert Baer, a former CIA field officer assigned to the Middle East, is TIME.com's intelligence columnist and the author of See No Evil and, most recently, the novel Blow the House Down.

September 16, 2008

In an article by Dr. Russell Blaylock in Newsmax.com, Health Alerts he demyths the concept of "healthy" fish. The information is astounding to me and I think it is, at minimum, worthy of your consideration. Please read:

You read in the popular press about the many virtues of eating fish. Even the American Heart Association suggests that you eat fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids two times a week to keep your heart healthy.

So what's the problem?

A growing number of studies have shown that seafood often contains significant, and in some instances, very high levels of mercury. In addition, government regulatory agencies, as well as private studies, have shown that many fish, including shellfish, contain high levels of other pollutants, such as PCBs, dioxins, and pesticides/herbicides.

The EPA (which regulates fish from sports fishing) and the FDA (which regulates commercial seafood) have set limits for “safe” mercury levels in seafood, but they do not share their concerns about contaminants with the general public through the media or public alerts.

And herein lies the problem. There is no “safe” level of mercury in the body. Mercury is one of the most poisonous metals known. Doses less than a millionth of a gram are toxic to brain cells. Worse still, mercury, especially the type of mercury found in fish – methylmercury –tends to accumulate in fatty parts of the body and remains for decades. The brain is composed of 60 percent fats.

The EPA and FDA do list four fish that should never be eaten, including swordfish. Oceans Alive, an organization that focuses on protecting ecosystems and fisheries, lists the best and worst seafood to eat in terms of mercury and PCBs pollution.

How Protect Yourself Against Mercury

One obvious thing to do is to choose seafood that is naturally low in mercury contamination, such as clams, shrimp, wild Alaskan salmon, sardines, scallops, crab and other small, relatively young sea creatures.

Also, an individual’s resistance to mercury toxicity is quite variable. This is because many dietary factors can reduce its toxicity and enhance the body’s defensive mechanisms. For example, we know that much of mercury’s damage is secondary to its ability to generate numerous free radicals in the body. Hence, antioxidants, especially those working as a network, can reduce these free radicals. In part, this is how fish oils (the DHA components) help reduce the damage.

September 13, 2008

This is a very interesting article regarding green tea and Type 2 Diabetes.

Chronic inflammation is thought to play an important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases and many cancers, as well as being an important component of diabetes. Polyphenols derived from green tea are known to have significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and intense research is under way to determine whether or not green tea supplements can favorably impact diseases that are associated, at least in part, with inflammation.

A new study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, done at Osaka University in Japan, has evaluated green-tea supplementation in patients with early adult-onset (Type 2) diabetes.

Sixty adult men and women with early diabetes volunteered for this prospective "crossover" study. Half of the volunteers took daily supplements of green tea powder for two months, while the other half of the volunteers received no supplements.

During the next two months of the study, the volunteers "crossed over," and the observation group was switched to daily green-tea supplementation for two more months, while the group that received green-tea supplements during the first half of the study became the observation (or "control") group.

Crossover studies such as this one provide the opportunity for researchers to compare two or more groups' responses to not only initiating therapeutic interventions but also to assess the effects of stopping such interventions.

In addition to monitoring blood-sugar levels during the course of this clinical research study, the researchers also monitored a marker in the blood, known as hemoglobin A1C, that reflects the long-term adequacy of diabetes control. The study also assessed the volunteers for potential changes in weight, body fat, blood pressure, fasting blood-glucose levels, cholesterol levels (including HDL and LDL), and levels of C-reactive protein, a blood marker of inflammation.

Although none of the other parameters changed significantly in the volunteers who were assigned to take green-tea supplements, a significant decrease in hemoglobin A1C levels was observed in response to daily green-tea supplementation.

Although this brief study cannot tell us the long-term health impact of green tea on patients with early diabetes, it is nonetheless intriguing that daily green-tea supplementation, when taken for only two months, was able to reduce hemoglobin A1C levels.

September 11, 2008

The first manager of the Seattle Space Needle, Hoge Sullivan, was acrophobic – fearful of heights. The 605-foot-tall Space Needle is fastened to its foundation with 72 bolts, each 30 feet long. The Space Needle sways approximately 1 inch for every 10 mph of wind. It was built to withstand a wind velocity of 200 miles per hour.

September 07, 2008

Russell L. Blaylock, M.D. believes that annual physical exams are not unecessary and harmful in some cases. I was fascinated by his theory and I honestly feel that it makes sense. Read what he has to sa on the subject then decide for yourself. I would appreciate your comments pertaining to your agreement or disagreement.

Did you know that many doctors who endorse annual physicals refuse to have one? I am not one who endorses annual physicals. I think they are a bad idea; one that encourages unnecessary testing and ultimately leads to unnecessary treatments. I call such examinations hunting expeditions.

Instead, I think you should have period-of-life exams; one early in life and one as middle age approaches.

Here is the big dilemma of annual physicals: If you, as a physician, find something wrong on a blood test or some other test, what should you do? Should you ignore it or should you pursue it further?

This is not always an easy question to answer. Most doctors know this. That is why so few doctors have regular physicals or testing done on themselves. They are afraid that if they find something they will need more tests, some of which can be quite invasive. An invasive test is one that requires surgery (biopsy, endoscopic exams, etc.) or procedures that require the insertion of catheters or tubes (such as an arteriogram or bronchiogram).

While most of us do not mind giving a little blood, a urine specimen or having an x-ray or scan of some sort, we do not want our bodies invaded by instruments. This is especially so when the doctor (usually their nurse or assistant) informs us of the long list of complications possible. Most informed consent information is enough to send anyone’s blood pressure soaring.